Automatic tube closing and clip attaching machine



F. J. STOKES Jan. 14, 193%..

AUTOMATIC TUBE CLOSING AND CLIP ATTACHING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 21, 1932 mm M mm. F. J. STOKES mzmm AUTOMATIC TUBE CLOSING AND CLIP ATTACHING MACHINE Filed Mafch 21, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 F //V4/E/VTO/? lG w/msss: Hangs fd z Jam H4, fi3fio J STOKES 2M27J9E AUTOMATIC TUBE CLOSI'NG AND cm? ATTACHING MAOHI NE Filed March 21, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet s Jan. 14, 1936f F T' K zmvym AUTOMATIC TUBE CLOSING AND CLIP ATTACHING MACHINE Filed March 21, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet, 4

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Patented Jan. 14, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC TUBE CLOSING AND CLIP ATTACHING MACHINE Application March 21, 1932, Serial No. 600,109

10. Claims.

The present application is a continuation in part of my application, Serial No. 412,633, for a patent for Automatic tube filling machines, filed Dec. 9, 1929.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a tube machine with simple. efficient and reliable mechanism for satisfactorily performing the operations of: first, flattening out or spreading the open ends of filled tubes preparaond, folding the spread ends of the tubes preparatory to the reception of clips; third, providing that a tube be in position before the next operation takes place; fourth, making clips from a con- 155 tinuous strip and crimping them onto the folded ends of the tubes; and fifth, ejecting the filled and finished tubes.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description.

The invention will be claimed at the end hereof, but the following are features which characterize a machine embodying the invention: (1) means for spreading or creasing the'top of the tube-so that the folds will be formed properly and not cause a faulty closure: (2) a no tubeno clip 7 mechanism or means for preventing the feed of a plain ribbon from which a clip is made except when there is a tube in position to receive a clipthereon, and (3) a clip forming device which forms the clip from a plain ribbon in a notch provided in a knife element from which it is transferred to the crimping jaw; the crimping jaw serving the purpose of a press for attaching the clip to the closed tube.

In the following description reference will be made to the accompanying drawings in which,

Figure 1 is an elevational view of so much and of such parts of a machine embodying features of the invention as are necessary for an explanation of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing the turntable in plan and certain of the parts in section.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the tube creasing element.

45 Fig. 4 is a view, partly in section, drawn to an enlarged scale and illustrating the operation of parts shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation with parts in cross section of the feed rolls for the strip from which the clip is made.

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a detached view principally in elevation illustrating mechanism for folding the flat- 5 tened end of the tube.

tory to folding their ends upon themselves; sec- Figs. 8 and 9 are detailed views illustrative of the operation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a View partly in section and partly in elevation, illustrating the clip forming and clinching mechanism, and

Figs. 11, 12 and 13 are perspective views illustrating the clip.

Fig. 4A is a diagrammatic view of the tube and creasing element.

In the drawing l is a table having step by step movement. For the sake of description it is shown as revoluble and moved in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2 but may be any type of conveyor such as a belt. The table is shown as provided with a series of openings 2 having seats 3, Fig. 4, and passages 4 through the rim of the table.

It will not be necessary to describe in detail all of the driving mechanism for actuating each of the parts because those skilled in the art will understand such mechanism without detail description or further illustration. It may be said that I2 is a driving shaft which through gearing it drives the countershaft l4.

I5 is a dart mounted for reciprocation in respect to a guide l6 provided on the frame of the machine and reciprocated through link and lever mechanism I I, Fig. 3, actuated by a cam l8 on the shaft M. The dart I5 is arranged in the path of the.tubeson the table 5 or other conveyor. There is a tube end folder and also a clip forming mechanism stationary as a whole. The tube end folder is shown in detail in Figs. 7, 8 and 9. The clip form mechanism is shown in detail in Figs. 1 and 10. Both will be explained in full later. The purpose of the folder is to fold the tube end on itself, and the purpose of the clip forming mechanism is to form a clip from a strip of metal and to apply the clip to the ends of the tubes that have been spread or creased by the dart and folded by the folder.

is is a reciprocable lifter adapted to work through the openings 2 in the table for raising the tubes from their seats 3 in the table into range of the clip attaching mechanism. 20 is an ejector for delivering the tubes from the table after they have been filled and clipped. The lifter l9 and the ejector 20 are reciprocated and the cam followers 23 are a means for doing that work. 1

By way of explanation it may be said that substantially all of the described working parts are driven with an intermittent motion and that the movements are timed for the performance of the various operations in proper sequence.

Referring to Figs. 7 to 9, there is shown mechanism for folding the ends of tubes, flattened or spread by the dart I5, upon themselves. The location of that mechanism is indicated in Fig. 2, as is also that of the dart l5. The folding fingers 5| and 52 are arranged in the path of the tubes on the away going side of the dart I5, and the flattened end of the tube is presented between them, Fig. '7, during a pause in the travel of the table I. The fingers and 52 grasp the tube end by the action of the cams 53 and 54, and then the folder element 55 is moved as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. '7, turning down the end of the tube onto the finger 5| which is then withdrawn so that the folder turns the end of the tube into the position shown in Fig. 8, and then the fold is completed between the fingers 5| and 52. The fingers 5| and 52 are separated and the folded tube end is presented to the clip forming mechanism. This folding operation may be repeated in order to give the tubes two, three or more folds.

Next in the operation in the machine, as seen in Fig. 2 after the tube end folding mechanism 5| and 52, is the no tube, no clip mechanism shown in Figures 1, 2, 5 and 6 in detail. This mechanism consists of an arm 66 pivotally mounted above table in the path of the tubes 0. Arm 60 is mounted on shaft 6| which is pivotally carried in stationary bearings 62. At its lower end shaft 6| has attached thereto an arm 63 which serves to actuate a linkage 64. At its opposite end linkage 64 is pivotally connected to a plate 65 which is pivotally mounted about shaft 66 which carries the upper feed roll 32. Plate 65 has pivotally connected thereto a latch 61. Spring 68 connects latch 61 to plate 65. Support 69, which forms a stationary part of the machine, supports lower feed roll 10 by means of shaft 1|. Shaft 1| also carries a collar 12 thereon which has a cam 13 projecting therefrom to cooperate with latch 61. Shaft 1| is driven through sprocket 14 or by other means connected through connections not shown to the driving source of the machine. Lower feed roll 10 carries a projection 15 on its outer face. Shaft 66 which carries upper feed roll 32 is carried in arm 16 which is pivotally mounted about shaft 11 which is carried by stationary support 69. Arm 16 serves to adjust the clearance of roll 32 relative to roll 16.

The operation of this portion of the mechanism is as follows: A metal strip a is fed between rolls 32 and 16. Normally strip a is at rest but when projection 15 engages upper roll 32 it clamps strip a therebetween and feeds the strip toward the center of the machine and above folder blade 33 and below the knife 40 a sufficient distance to make one clip. As is best seen from Figure 1, if tube 0 engages arm 60 it rotates this arm and lifts plate 65 through linkage 64. Plate 65 carries with it latch 61 by means of spring 68 so that latch 61 is carried out of a position to be engaged by cam 13. If there is no tube 0 to engage arm 66 plate 65 and latch 61 are not actuated so that cam 13, which is in alignment with projection 15, lifts latch 61 and with it upper roll 32 so that projection 15 cannot engage roll 32 so that strip a is not fed. It will thus be seen that this device provides a mechanism whereby no clip is cut from strip a by knife 40 unless there is a tube c in position to receive the clip.

Referring to Figs. 1, 5, 6 and 10, wherein the clip making and attaching mechanism is illustrated, a metal strip indicated at a is fed by feed rolls 32 and 16 into position over an anvil or blade 33 having up and down motions imparted to it by the cam follower 34. 35 is a block re.- ciprocated up and down in guides 36 by means of the pitman mechanism 31 having mechanism 38 shown as an adjustable eccentric, for varying its throw. The block is shown as provided with projections 39 for indenting the ribbon and with a knife 45 having a notch 4|. The knife 40 in cooperation with the edge of the support 42, cuts a piece off the strip a. of sufficient length to form a clip b, Fig. 10 and bends the piece so cut off in the notch 4| into clip form on the blade 33 as indicated in dotted lines. The bending or clip forming operation takes place by the cooperation between former blade or anvil 33 and notch 4|, the former blade entering the notch and folding the clip therein, the clip however remaining astride the former blade. Then the compound slide 43 is moved forward by the cam lever 44 through the link 45, that is, toward the left in Figs. 1 and 10 into the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 10 so that the blade 33, rising, places the clip, formed in the notch 4|, between the clamping jaws 46 and 41. The return movement of the compound slide 43 brings the clip in line with the portion of the tube that has been creased by the dart 5 and that has been folded upon itself, so that when the lifter l9 operates, the folded end of the tube is lifted up into the clip, then by the movement of the cam follower 44, the element of which the jaw 41 is a part, abuts upon the back stop 43, and the element of which the jaw 46 is a part moves toward the right in Figs. 1 and 10, clinching the clip in the end of the jaw. The slot and pin connection 48 permits of the described movement of the elements. The clip is clinched onto the tube, through the movement of the jaw 46 (against the spring 46 and by reason of the slot and pin connection 48 in respect to the jaw 41 which is held by the adjustable stop screw 48.

The mode of operation may be described as follows:

Tubes 0 are supplied to the intermittently moving table by placing them upon the seats 3, Fig. 5. The dart I5 descending creases each tube, Figs. 1 and 4. The mechanism shown in Figs. '1 to 9 folds the ends of the tubes upon themselves. The clip making mechanism makes clips, and the crimping jaws apply the clips to tubes elevated by the lifter IS. The no tube-no clip mechanism, shown in Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 6, prevents the clip making mechanism from cutting a clip from the ribbon 0. unless there is a tube 0 in position to receive it. Then the ejector 2|] throws out the finished tubes.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art which the invention relates that modifications may be made in details of construction and arrangement and matters of mere form without departing from the spirit of the invention which is not limited to such matters or otherwise than the prior art and the appended claims may require.

I claim:

1. In a machine of the type described, means for conveying a plurality of tubes having open ends, means for creasing the open ends of said tubes, means for folding and closing said creased ends, means for forming a metallic clip, means for feeding metal to said last mentioned means, means for preventing the operation of said feeding means when there is no tube in position,. and

means for applying said clip to a tube and for clamping it thereon.

2. In an automatic tube closing machine, means for conveying a plurality of tubes having open ends, means for forming a metallic clip, a pair of rolls for feeding a strip of metal to said last mentioned means, one of said rolls having a projection thereon for clamping said strip against the other of said rolls to feed said strip upon the rotation of said roll and one of said rolls being pivotally mounted for movement with respect to the other of said rolls, an arm mounted to be engaged by said tubes and connected to said pivoted roll to move said pivoted roll so that said projection on one of said rolls does not engage the other of said rolls so that feeding said strip is prevented.

3. In an automatic tube closing machine, means for conveying a plurality of tubes, a pair of rolls for feeding a strip of metal, one of said rolls having a projection thereon adapted to clamp said strip against the other of said rolls and to thereby feed said strip by the rotation of said rolls and one of said rolls being mounted for movement relative to the other of said rolls, an arm adapted to be engaged by said tubes, a linkage connected to said arm and actuated thereby, a latch actuated by said linkage, and a cam for actuating said latch when in position to be engaged thereby, said latch being connected to said movable roll to move said movable roll when said latch is engaged by said cam, said linkage moving said latch into and out of position to be engaged by said cam.

4. In a machine of the type described, means for conveying a plurality of tubes having open ends, means for folding and closing the open ends of the tubes, a knife for cutting a piece from a strip of metal and forming it into a V-shaped clip in a single stroke, reciprocating jaws, means for placing said clip in said jaws, and means for placing a folded tube end between the clip in said jaws and for then clinching the clip onto the tube end.

5. In a machine of the type described, means for conveying a plurality of tubes having open ends, means for folding and closing the open ends of said tubes, a knife having a notch therein, an anvil adapted to enter the notch in said knife, said knife and said anvil cooperating to cut and form a V-shaped clip from a strip of metal in a single stroke and to then leave said V-shaped clip resting on said anvil, a pair of reciprocating jaws, means for raising said anvil to place said clip within said jaws, means for raising a tube so that its folded end enters the clip in said jaws, and means for moving said jaws to clinch said clip on said tube.

6. In a machine of the type described, means for conveying a plurality of tubes having open ends, means for folding and closing the open ends of said tubes, a knife having a notch therein mounted for vertical reciprocation but horizontally stationary, an anvil adapted to enter the notch in said knife and mounted for vertical reciprocation but horizontally stationary, said knife and said anvil cooperating to cut and form a V-shaped clip from a strip of metalin a single stroke and to leave said clip resting on said anvil, a pair of jaws mounted for horizontal reciprocation but otherwise stationary, means for raising said tubes so that its folded end enters the clip in said jaws, and means to clinch said clip on said tube.

'7. In a machine of the type described, means for conveying a plurality of tubes having open ends, means for folding and closing the open ends of said tubes, a block, a plurality of projections on said block, a knife having a notch therein on said block, an anvil adapted to enter the notch in said knife, means for moving said block, so that said projections perforate a strip of metal and so that said knife and said anvil cooperate to cut and form a V-shaped clip from said strip of metal at a single stroke and leave said clip resting on said anvil, a pair of jaws, means for raising said anvil to place said clip in said jaws, means for moving said jaws to locate said clip over one of said tubes, means for raising one of said tubes so that its folded end enters the clip in said jaws, and means to clinch said clip on said tube.

8. In an automatic tube machine, means for conveying a plurality of tubes having open ends, stationary means for guiding a strip of metal as it is fed to the machine, means for cutting a piece off said strip of metal, means cooperating with said last mentioned means to bend the cut off piece of metal to inverted V-shape and to support the cut off piece in inverted V-shape after the commencement of the bending operation and thereafter, a pair of clamping jaws for receiving the cut off piece from the last mentioned means and transferring it to position over one of said tubes, means for lifting said tube so that its open end enters said jaws, and means for actuating said jaws to clamp said out off piece into said tube.

9. In an automatic machine for closing collapsible tubes, means'for conveying a plurality of tubes having open ends, a reciprocating member mounted above the line of travel of the open ends of said tubes, a pair of blades fixedly and immovably mounted on said reciprocating member and depending therefrom so as to form a triangle in side elevation, means for providing for horizontal adjustment of said blades on said member relative to each other, and means for reciprocating said member and said blades so that said blades enter the open ends of said tubes and spread said open ends from circular into prolate transverse cross-section.

10. In an automatic machine for closing collapsible tubes, means for conveying a plurality of tubes having open ends, a stationary guide having a tubular bore and a slot communicating through one wall thereof with said tubular bore, a rod mounted in said tubular bore for reciprocating movement above the line of travel of the open ends of said tubes, a guide member on said rod located in said slot so as to hold said rod against rotation, a pair of blades substantially triangular in outline fixedly and immovably mounted on said reciprocating rod and depending therefrom so as to form a triangle in side elevation, said blades having horizontally elngated slots formed therein providing for horizontal adjustment of said blades on said rod relative to each other, and a cam for reciprocating said rod and said blades so that said blades enter the open ends of said tubes and spread said open ends from circular into prolate transverse cross-section.

FRANCIS J. STOKES. 

